GOALPARA, Sept 24 � With the water level receding at various places, the flood situation in the district has improved marginally, bringing some respite to the flood-hit people, even as the extent of damage to life and property have gradually began to unfold in the area.
According to the official sources, the death toll has risen to 16 following the recovery of more bodies today in the flood-hit areas. There is also apprehension that the toll may go up as some of the missing people are yet to be traced.
Meanwhile, following instructions by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Forest, Environment and P&RD Minister Rockybul Hussain and Agriculture, Horticulture & Food Processing, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Nilamoni Sen Deka, visited the flood-hit areas of Krishnai and Bolbolla and issued some spot instructions, especially to provide adequate health care facilities, clean drinking water, sanitation and relief materials to the inmates of the camps. They further announced that the government will pay an ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of the flood victims.
Meanwhile, talking to this Correspondent, Deputy Commissioner Preetom Saikia said that around 2.10 lakh people have been affected by the flash flood in the district and a total of 78 relief camps have been set up at various places with about 70,000 inmates.
He also added that the district administration is working round the clock to provide relief materials to the affected people.
Meanwhile, this Correspondent who visited some of the flood-hit areas in Dudhnoi today, saw extensive damages to properties and buildings, including that of the Circle Office, PWD Office, PHC, Rabha Hajong Office, KVK campus and Navodaya School campus. Flood waters also entered most of the business establishments causing massive damage to goods and other items.
Dudhnoi Circle Officer Pranab Dutta Goswami said that the woes of the people have been compounded and the situation further worsened due to the lack of electricity since the last 48 hours, leading to complete breakdown of communication and also of mobile networks.
